contradict the thug persona he has been labeled with. The book reads like a formal screenplay, written by Steve Harmon, interspersed with seemingly handwritten fragments from his diary. The screenplay's verisimilitude is enhanced by such cues as "fade in," "voice over," and “fade out." As one critic wrote, the novel is "Presented alternately as the firstperson, handwritten memoir... [and] a neatly typed screenplay." Critics have commented on how the novel offers "surface effects – marginalia, drawing, photographs, mugshots, and video stills – to offer an analysis of the complex identities that emerge in the context of such surfaces." Generally, the novel has been praised for remarkably sophisticated levels of thematic and formal complexity, considering its ostensible status as a young adult novel. As another critic wrote, "Monster is an experiment in form and structure," demonstrating Steve's "vent[ing of] his passionate perplexity." The novel is interspersed with various photos depicting Steve. Many appear to be placed around the prison, possibly taken after he has been released as he is dressed in plain clothes although his oversized T-shirt is striped. Possibly indicating that he will never be free from this experience. Myers had an affinity for addressing issues of race in many of his other novels as well as several articles he penned. Autobiographical elements As a young man, Myers struggled with a speech impairment that caused many of his classmates and teachers to ridicule him and think him unintelligent. He often got into trouble at school for selling drugs in school and on the streets. When trying to defend himself against the ridicule, many labeled him a “Monster" much like how Steve Harmon was labeled a "Monster." Later, while working as a construction worker, Myers decided to follow advice given to him by his high school writing teacher and began writing at night after work, just as the character Steve Harmon writes throughout the novel. The cover artist for the novel is Myers' son, Christopher Myers. Reception Monster received the following accolades: 1999, National Book Award for Young People's Literature finalist 1999, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award nominee for Fiction 2000, American Library Association (ALA), Best Books for Young Adults 2000, Michael L. Printz Award 2000, Coretta Scott King Award for Authors nominee 2001, ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults 2001, Rhode Island Teen Book Award Nominee 2005, Lincoln Award nominee Edgar Award for Best Young Adult nominee Film adaptation Monster has